The meeting was held at the Emergency Operations Center at Benicia Fire Station 11, commencing at 1907 hours. The list of attendees will be found at the end of these minutes.

Annual BERT Muster Planning

Marion McKown, BERT Support Group Chair, reported that Chief Gene Gantt and Capt. K.C. Smith will advise as to the specific date and place where the next BERT muster will take place this coming November.

BCCC Chair Bob Mutch agreed with Marion McKown's and Art Mayoff's suggestion that Pastor Mike Mau be asked to speak at the muster about his experiences as a volunteer to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. If Rev. Mau is unavailable, Leslie Kvasnicka said she can find a local Red Cross volunteer to describe their experiences following Katrina.

The BERT Support Group is considering asking Management Zone Members to re-elect leaders for their Zone teams at the muster if they wish.

BERT Class Scheduling

Fire Chief Hanley reported that the next BERT class will be scheduled to start in January or February, 2006.

Jean Colomy will consolidate the list of people who want to enter the next class and Bob Mutch will send a letter to each of them to acknowledge their interest and inform them of the probable time frame for the start of the next class.

Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)

Bob Mutch reported that he has received some information from the state regarding professional credentialing requirements for MRC members, but nothing concrete yet. He awaits further information from Dr. Ron Uhlman.

BERT Support Group

Marion McKown reported that consideration is being given to forming training subject outline packages for the management zone teams to use for periodic training exercises.

BERT Support Group, continued

Chief Hanley and Bob Mutch both supported Art Mayoff's suggestion that meetings for all BERT members be held every other month, featuring various guest speakers on emergency management subjects.

The Group is exploring means for visually identifying from the street the homes of BERT members and cache box locations.

Miscellaneous

Art Mayoff suggests that the next city-wide emergency management drill include the Benicia Amateur Radio Auxiliary members.

Police Chief Trimble suggested that the Benicia city web site be modified to include a link to the BCCC sites. He also recommends inviting a reporter from the Benicia Herald to review the BCCC site and publish a report on it in the paper.

Chief Hanley noted that first aid and survival guide information is found in the local phone book (page B6 of the SBC Dec. 2004 phone book).

Officer Baron will compose and investigate means of producing fliers, a banner, business card-sized BERT sign-up information and refrigerator magnet with emergency services contact information. She will be supported by Art Mayoff and will seek review and approval of the drafts by email. She will also coordinate with city Parks and Community Services staff to arrange for regular display of the banner at City Park.

Chief Trimble suggests that BERT training information handouts be provided to future political candidates for distribution to their campaign contacts.

Chief Hanley explained that distribution of the BERT training DVD currently in production must be carefully controlled to ensure effective use as a training medium.

Pastor Jerry Pollard reported that there was a very good response from the Benicia faith community inquiring into how their churches could support hurricane Katrina victims. He will distribute copies of existing guidelines on how to guide faith community congregations in providing assistance to disaster victims.

Art Mayoff reported that to date he has had 32 BERT members sign up to the BERT Yahoo email group.

Leslie Kvasnicka reported that 1600 Bay area people have gone to the hurricane Katrina disaster area as Red Cross volunteers. To date 1300 disaster victims have relocated, at least temporarily, to the Bay area, with more expected. She said that there has been an excellent local public response with money, volunteers and other resources.

Tom Clausen will represent the Benicia Volunteer Firefighters at the BCCC meetings in place of Mike White, who has another commitment on the newly-scheduled Thursday evening meetings.

The next meeting will be Nov. 17, same time and place, subject to confirmation by Chief Hanley.

The meeting adjourned at 2037.

Attendees

Name and Affiliation

Patti Baron, Benicia Police Dept.
Tom Clausen, Volunteer Firefighters
Jean Colomy, BSG
Len Corbaley, ACS
Ken Hanley, Benicia Fire Dept.
Leslie Kvasnicka, American Red Cross
Art Mayoff, RACES/ACS
Marion McKown, BERT Support Group
Joe Murray, BCCC scribe/BERT/VIPS
Bob Mutch, BCCC Chairman
Jerry Pollard, Benicia Faith Community
Jim Trimble, Benicia Police Dept.

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